Tractor plow



7 SHEETS-SHEET 5 L. H. KAUPKE. TRACTOR PLow FnLED APR. 20. 1916.

Jan. 9, 1923.

FILED APR, 20, 1916. V 7 SHEETS'SHEET 6 Jan. 9, 1923.

7 SHEETS'SHEET 7 L. H. KAUPKE.

TRACTOR PLow F P 20. 1916.

. v 4 NN .we m

WN @MN Patented Jan. 9, 1923.

UNITED srArns rarnnr z orrice.

LEE H. u gpow neck ISLA D, ILLINoIs, ASSIGNOR ro, ROCK ISLANDPLOW 'COMPANY, or ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS, aconronnrron or ILLINOIS.

rnncron n w.

Application fiierr .April 20, 1916. Serial No. 92,343.

To all whom it may concern j Be it known that I, LEE H.' KAUPKE, a citizen of the United States of America', and resident of. Rock "Island, Rock Island County, Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Trac tor Plows, of which the following is a specification. 3

This invention relates to improvements in plows, and more particularly to improvements in gang plows of the tractor type;

i that is of the type adapted to be drawn or propelled by tractor engines One of the objects of my nvention is' to provide an improved plow of this character r which can be raised and lowered at will, and

which will, through the medium of the lifting mechanism, utilize the tractive effort of the wheels as power for ..actuating or driving this lifting mechanism.` j v AJ further object is to provide an improved plow of this character in which the lifting mechanism may be either manually operated or power operated,` and to provide acneinan structure; that is a structure 'in which the operator on the engine is enabled to control the power lifting mechanism of the plow from his seat.

A further object is to provide an improved structure of this character which will be simple, durable and reliable in construction and effective and efficient in. operation. p

`Other objects of my invention will appear hereiuafter. j i

` My invention consists in thefeatures of novclty exemplified in the .construction, comhination and arrangementof parts herein described, shown in the accompanying drawings and more particularly set forth in the apnended claims. H

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a tractor plow embodying my irrvention.` the plow being: shown in the act of plowing; V

Fig. 2 is a top plan viewof the structure shown in Fio'. 1; 4

Fi 3 is an enlarged plan view of the forward port on of the strwture shown in ,on t2: v

Figr. 4 is an enlarged. view in side eleva.- tion of substantially ,that portion; of the structure which is shown in Fig. 3, the parts being: shown in their plowing or operating condition; I

n rg Vie of su st n ially.

the structure shown in Fig. 4' except that the furrow wheel and the mechanism by which it transmits power to the lifting mechanism have been omitted to better disclose the parts intherear thereof;

Fi'g. 6 `is a view' illustrating the parts shown in Fig. 5 in an operated condition and the plow frame in'its raised position; r Fig. 7 is [an enlarged view in elevation of the rear portion of the plow structure showing` the caster wheel support therefor and showing in dotted lines the plow frame raised at its rear end;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view: of the structure shown in Fig. 7; j Fig. 9 is an enlarged connecting and disconnecting the source of power with respect to the frame lifting mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a detail section on the line lo -10 of Fig. 7; 5

Fio'. 11 is an enlarged detail view of the heighth adjuster for the rear end of the structure; and

'Figq 12 is a detail section on the lin 11-11 of Fie*. 7.

The structure which I have shown in the between the frame and the ground surface. m

The beams are .rigidly braced 'apart by the diagonal braces 3 at their rear ends, and at their forward ends by thebra es 4. In this structure there are four parallel beams 1, and the three ,adjacent the furrow'side of detail of the `clutch the frame extend forward considerable i distance andare rigidly held in'position by the brace members 4. The inner beaml on the land .side of the plowhas its forward'end l turned laterally and fastened to next adjacent beam. also provide another brace 1' between thetwo middle beams. i This construction provides a strong, rigid and substantial framecapable of withstandingthe s s .and ra rb -s a 'S ture of this character is generally subjected and yet it is light in weight because all excess frame bars are eliminated and instead the plow beams are used. The plow shares all depend from their supports substantially at the same distance below the frame. At the forward end of the frame any suitable form of h itch t may be used but. I prefer one which is rigidly attached to the plow` frame to enable the plow to be hacked as well as pulled or drawn forward through the medium of the hitch.

The frame is supported by a land wheel :B and a furrow wheel (l, both of which are positioned at the forward end of the frame, and by a caster wheel C' at the rear end, The land and furrow wheels B and C are mounted each upon separate or individual axles B and C respectively, which are continuations of the shafts B and C being offset considerably from alignment with. said shafts by the intermediate portions B and C and forming in effect integral Z- shaped bars or members. The shafts B and C are pivoted or journalled in suitable transverse bearings on the frame so that the aXles and wheel may revolve bodily about them as centers. These bearings B are mounted to hold the shafts spaced apart and the bearings on corresponding` .sides of the frame are connected by wehs ll" and fastened to the frame. The axles for both land and furrow wheels are thus pivotally arranged or mounted on the frame and when they are swung downwardly and rearwardly it will have the effect of elevating or lifting the frame; and Vice verse, when the axles are swung forwardly and upwardly about their pivots, the frame will be correspondingly lowered. frame mechanism, including the axles, is so arranged that' it may be said to fold or buckle up, and since the land and furrow wheels are confined against downward movement by the ground on which the machine rests, the buckling; or folding; operation results in lifting or raising the frame relatively to the ground; and vice versa, the unfolding` or flattcning out the frame results in lowering; the frame toward the ground. It will be noted, however, that both axles are independent of each other, so far as their pivotal relation to the frame is concerned In the present structure I nti .lize the tractive effort of the furrow wheel for supplying the power to the lifting mechanism. for the purpose of raising the frame. and lifting the plows out of operative relation to the ground when the machine -is to be transported from place to place orfor any other purpose. And I prefer to utilize the tractive effort of the furrow wheel rather than that of the hand wheel because this tractive efi'ort is more uniform and of much greater degree than that exerted by the land In other words, the entire dium of a sproclret drive chain 10 and a clutch. The drive chain extends from a suitable sprocket on the axle C which is connected to the furrow wheel C to a larger sprocket 11 which is mounted on the end of the shaft B of the land wheel axle and is' free to rotate idly on said shaft when it is not connected by the clutch to the shaft.

This sprocket has an extended hub C which carries a toothed ratchet wheel 12 so that it will be constantly driven by said sproclret. A belt tightener acts on the chain to maintain it taut at all times and especially when the frame is raised or lowered. This consists of a depending arm C loosely journalled on the hub C and carrying an idler sprocket C the idler sprocket being; held in'engagement with the chain by a spring` C connected between the lower end of the arm C and the forward end of the friuuc- The shaft B is adapted to be connected with the ratchet wheel 12 and driven thereby by means of a pawl 13 which is pivotally mounted at i4: on an arm 15, This arm i carried by a collar 15 which is keyed on 'thc shaft B Thus when the pawl 13 thrown into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 12 it will lock the arm 1:") to the ratchet wheel and rotate the shaft B*. The powerful tractive effort exerted by the furrow wheel will thus be transmitted directly to the shaft E and will tend to swing: the axle downwardly and rearwardly about the shaft B as a center. Since the land wheel B, which is carried by the axle B bearson the ground it cannot move downwardly and the leverage thus furnished will raise or elevate the plow frame the part being all so proportioncd that this elevation is sufficient to raise the plows clear of the ground. It is, of course, desirable that the power `for elevating or raising); the frame be applied not only te the land wheel hut also` to the furroi\' wheel awie shaf 4"? and l therefore interccn ct the two for pose. I extendan: i downwa a collar 2 which keyed o.:: pinnec 4 shaft B and at its lower end l ilymount a link. 2]. which cxtends substantially horizontally into connection with a similar arin 22, the latter arin being carried by a collar 22 which is lteyed to the shaft C of .wheel traveling at a lower level in the furrow than the level in which the, land wheel travels.. ft :is desiira ble;@however, wheuthc plow frameis insits eleizatcd"or raised position thatmboth wheels travel :at the same level so r to'` ma intai n the relative horiz/iontal position ot the tramew `In order to coinpensate tor this liflerencc,uduring .the lifting operation,` `l arrange: the link '91-' so* that itlwill not exert pull upon the furrow wheel axle until the-frame 'has i39811"1`8jl58d to a point where 'the two wheels occupy cor responding `positions at a *given level. By reference more particularly to Figs. 5 and 6 it will he observed thatthelower end of the arm 22 is forked and between the member of which fork the' link 21' is positi-oned 'to slide. The link carries at its free enda transverse-@1123 which engages the arin when the` frame-has been lifted to a point where the landj'and furrow wheels oceupy the sameslevel. At` this point' the pin engages thearm 22 and fromth'en on during the remaining portionof the hitting operation the power will be applied positivelv to the furrow wheel axle' aswell as the land wheel axle. A litting or assisting-spring 25 is provided to relieve the lifting mechanism to a greatuextent ot the weight of the plow and to prevent the frame from lowering too suddenly, as will be later explained. This spring is anchored at its rear end to one of the frame braces v", this anchorage being adjustable to regulate the tension of the spring as desired:. The other end ot this spring; fastened to the' armQO depending' from the axle shaft B The spring thus constantly exerts a pull on the land wheel axle tending to raise the` frame.

It is understood. ot' course, that when the machine is travelingthe sprocket* 1.1 and ratchet 12 are being driven constantly. It is, therefore, necessary to 'release the ratchet from the lifting mechanism after the plow hasbeen elevated to its proper position: In the present structure I provide ..means not only for releasingordisconneoting the liftgaged, withthe ratchet wheel 12 it is of course carried bodily` around with' said ratchet wheel'. During the latter portion of the lifting` operation the roller 31 is arranged to strike a cam' member 33 which is secured to the frame of the machine and which deflects the roller and swings the arm and pawl out ot' engagement with `the ratchet teeth `to release the lifting :mechanism..-'from r the ratchet and "permitsaid retehet to continue its rotation, About the time that the pawl disengagcs the ratchet the roller extension arm is thrown by a spring l3 'inagainst a pair of hooks 34- whi'chJare? fixed on the frame of the machine. Theshaft32 of the-roller, as shown clearly in- Fig. `t, is caught-beneath 'the hook members 34:` thuslocking the' frame in its elei ateduposition, the roller passing in be tween the hooks which are'positioned far enough"` apart `to provide space therefor. The control -of this' operation is accomplished bY'means of 'a lever 35 which is pivo'ted *at 36 'to the frame of the machine and "Which is held in its normal or off-position'by means of a spring' S'T'which .is anchored on the frame and fastened to' an eX- tension of'said operating member below the pivotithereof. This levermay be actuated by. an *operator seated on the machine itself but I :prefer that its, actuation be 'governed by the operatonof the traction engine from his position on said engine. This is `apparent because `by s0 arranging the mecha nism I' am enabled to employ a single operator for both the traction engine and' plow with 'all' of the mechanism entirely under his control. I therefore provide means of an-ysort `(in this case a rope 37) which is fastened to` the upper end of' the controlling lever- 35' andwhich extends forward to the operator s position on the traction engine (not shown). v This lever, when thrown about its pivot, :is -adapted to engage the projectingend 'of the shaft 32 of the pawl 30', as shown in Figs. 6 and 9, and swing said pawl about its pivot 14h `When the maehine is in its normal lowered or operating' pos-ition and the controller lever 35 is. operated it engagesthe shatt 32 and` throws -the *pawl into engagement with the ratchet,

thus connectingthe lifting mechanism with said ratchet 12. If the plow frame is locked up in itselevated position, as heretotore described, the controller lever when operated. engages the shaft 32 throws the shatt out otengagement with the locking hoolis 34:. This releases the frame and permits it to drop `of its own weight against the` tension of the assisting or llftlnff springs 25.

There would be danger, when the controll the ratchet 12. -This bumper or limit stop 38, however, does not interfere with the act on of the roller130 on the cam member 33 duringrthe' eek ng p tion as bo scrihed because it is made to yield so that the roller may push it out oi the way when passing downwardly along the cam member The limit stop is made 'in the form of a. hell cranl; lever which is pivoted at 39 on the frame ot the machine and one arin of which projects through the face of the cam member to serve the limit stop. The other arm ot this bell cranl: projects downwardly and is connected to a spring 38 which is anchored for convenience on one ot the locking hooks 34 and which acts to yieldingly maintain the limit stop 38 in position. The pawl 13 which engages the ratchct is subject to considerable vibration when it is both idle and in operation and must be prevented trem aecidental operation. The V-shaped spring 13% he`reinbefore mentioned, acts on the pawl to prevent such accidental operation. One end of this spring is fixed to the pawl and the other end 13 is turned at an angle so that it will ride over the pointed end 13 of the arm 15 which supports the pawl (see Fig. The position ol? this spring;` on either side of the pointed end 13 of: arm 15 causes it to bear against the point 13 and eX-ert pressure on either side of the pivotal center oit the pawl as the case may he to yieldingly hold the pawl in or out ot engagement with the ratchet or holds the roller shaft in or out of engagement with locking hoolcsi Furthei-more as previously explained, this spring acts on the pawl to throw either end thereof into position. The action of the controller lever on said shaft 32, as above described, overcomes the tension 'of spring 13 and snaps the pawl into either of its positions, the case may be.

I have also provided means tor manually actuating the lifting mechanism. in this structure hoth axle shafts have loose collare 4-0 and ll from which operating levers 4-2 and t?) respectively iupstaiul in convenient position to he nianipulated. These crers are hoth inzlepeiulent oi" their shafts so as to permit the shatts to rotate when *he power mechanism is operated. Rising' :from the bcarings .ll are fixed arms or stanlards '-1 at their which carry lcothed sea'n'ients 26 upper ends ani which are positiimed ::lose to the lere Each lever has a slidahle springsctuated locking member 46*" which he teeth of the corresponding which is operated to :ele .se the ind grips 4:7 which are positioned on the lever. and 4:3 near e upper ends. These hand grips are {KEDU-C( l to the 4 ingi: inemhers hy the pull ?Uda ih. The locking: members hold the oper tina' levers in any position in whi h they are a\ listed, and thus n'event the levers 'From 'llopping around loosely. The collars 230* and ?E which are keyed to the respective shaft, as before described, have upstanding arms .50 and 51 respectively, positioned close to the operating levers and having their outer ends 50 and. 51"* turned laterally so as to be engageable by said operating` levers when rotated in a litting` drection. Thus when the operating levers are rotated manually in a direction to lift the plow, they engage the arms 50 and, and thereby actuate the plow lifting mechanism. hen, however, the frame is litted by the power mechanism as previously dcscrihedythe arms 50 and 51 simply rotate awav :trem the manual levers. The hand ni aise enable the operator to partially lift the frame at any time and without actually removing' the plows entirely from the ground to l'GllCTG the traction engine when hard spots in the ground are encountered. 'll arrangement also performs another important function besides the manu al operation oi" lifting the plow. It will be ohserred that these levers in conjunction with the arms 50 and 51 with their laterally turned ends term limit stops which. leterinine the degree to which the frame can he lowered. That is, hy adjusting the mannal levc and locking them in their adjusted POSlblOH, the depth at which the plow will operate can he very accurately regulated and each time the *frame is dropped or lowered aztter having been raised hy the power mechanism, it will. always return *to the same position until this position is changed hy the re-adiustment ot the hand levers. I provide another lifting spring 25 similar to spring This is anchored at its: rear end to the frame and at its forward end is eon- V nected to small arm 26 depending trem the collar 4:0. This spring thus comes into play to assist in the lil'tinp; operation only when this lifting operation is done manually, i. e., by the manual actuation of the' hand levers 42 and 13.

The rear end oi" the frame is supported by a turrow or, caster wheel C which is mounted to rotate on the lower laterally turned end ot a vertical shatt 61, this laterally turned end 60 being offset with respectto the shai't 61 by the angularly disposed portion 62 so that the wheel will trail more directlyin alignment with the *vertical shatt 61 and still operate as a caster wheel when the machine is turning; curves. and furthermore s0 that the wheel .may be placed at the proper angle to the furrow. The' frame at its rear end has comparatively long sub stantial bearing:` sleeve n which the' vertical shatt may rotate hutthis hearing and conseqnently the rame may slide up and down on said shatt, the intention being` that tae frame shall have substantially as great a ran e of movement at its rear end as at its forward end to maintain its level relation and that of the plow shares while 'being raised and lowered. This prevents the rear plows from dragging trash When the frame is elevated and traveling fromi lace to place. A stop oollar on the lower portionoif the shaft lirnits theilmvnward Increment of the frame. The Collar 61-, see s Fine# 'T and ll however, is: arranged for a cljustment on the shaft 63 for the purpose, oi} regulatin the suck of the plows. A. universe ;iin r, tends through the ,shaft lil and the collar (iii has several pairs of noh-hes G133, the notches oi each pair being; diametrically opposed so as to reigistcriviththe pin 641 The sets ol?` notches are arranged angularly around the collar and are disp'osecl at different levels s0 tthat the heightof the cell-ar on the shait Will he determined hv the particular notches cn ;nuring*` the pin. This arrangement provides a` suitable range of adjustinent f the rear end 0f3 the frame to rea'ulate the suck of: t 1e plows. `Anotlwr colhir at the shai'th upper enzl deter-mines the upper limit of its rangeof movement; The raising); and loweringef the rear end ot' the frame is accomplishod hy meanso' a pair otliparallelly xlisposerl hell crank lovers which area::- (l at the sides i of the frame. The ari s 6G oi these .lovers ini l together at; 'their upper ends andpivotally connectezl to the rear enil of a pull rocl or link 67. The rear ends ot' thearms 68 of Saiclbell crunks are lilrewise-,pivotallv connected to the rear on& of the trime. The hell cranks are ;iivotally 'suspended iron\ the collar hv' tho links 30. :lt thus observed that When the hell ora ls are mt'ted the .frame will ho raised; loivered I' the case may he. Power is transmitteil to the hell cranlrs 'From the forward lil tizng niiwthanis in hy means ofzlhe pull rod mathei oirwawl end ol? which is nivote v attached to the'enil of anarm 'TO oi'itstandinsr "l l-om a Collar 71 here-.l on the B These parts are so proportionerl that the rear enrl of the ;Frame will raise an@s lower \in unison with the forward portion nd is suhstantiallvthe same ratio. ili-le \li have .stated that the iliUIV'ftFfl and rear enrls of the frame raise and ower in unison `I preferthat the for r end shall have-a light lead over the reni.' enxl during the initial inovenient'both in rai in and imvering, and the purpose of this isthut when raisin the points of the :slows will ho inclinecl s ;htly upwarally and i 'theih out oi the ground; and vice n lnwering' the points will he My dowmvarlllv '*;vhiol assists il and quit entering' the *function et the mechanism in a simple manner slot I the rear end of ;or ill( pi hoh: to move in. su iicient lost motion for the of the :frame has ll'nl Til a liuetal le nnt nlthe :rozi 3. r Th o rocl, as shown in Fig, 8, is fastenecl tc one oii the clainping bars 'll :inci nnton-tis loosel y' 'through and beyond the other claniping har {i The action ot' this clagnping bar or locking device is to yieldingz' Hanip the Slh ft and citer 'consiclerahle to its rotation to prevent the caster Joni swinging or turning about its nivotal axis. But in order that the olamping action-may be denite in that position of the wheel corresponoing to the straight ahead travel of the structure., I provide 'on the shaft (51 a Collar having` two flattened faces or flat surfaces 76 (see Fig. 10). i The olamping bars or locking devices act against theseflattenecl\faces and are thereby enahlexil to offer reater' resistance to the turning of the shaitc. VJ hen the structure turns out of straight line the ground resistance of ferecl by ,the furrow causes the caster to continue in the straight line of travel, and this resistance is sulucient to overcome the resistance offered b the lod-:ing levice The caster wheel will right itself, however upon the machine again assuming: a straightahead position. Tllhis `mechanism also serves to prevent the rastorwneel from vem-ing or wahhling'. This locking mechanism is, as shown in lotted'lines in 'Figz, 7, effective whether the frame in raised or lowerecl p'e sition. It is desir-able to vary 'the angular relation of the caster Wheel with respect to theline of `travel oi' theniachine *for the purpose of regulating the suck of theplow. Foi: this: reason I arrange the Collar 7 5 so th t t may ho rotatahly adjusted. on the sha; 'i il to change the ,relative position of 'the nattened faces 76 with respect `to the line of travel of the inachines. The shaft at its upper encl has a transverse clamping hozlt 77 extentling therethrou'gh ;and projecting beyond the shaft. The projecting ends of this holt are' positioned in Slots or open'ings in the collariwhich arrangement nermits the rollar to ho rotzwtahly uLljLlSlQdj The bolt lms a heail on one enti and, a nnt on `Lho other end, anal between 'the head and nnt and thecollor are slimming plates "fei which for :l astening the shafa: in its a tljnsted position; The clanipiug i ilates-have corhat l 1111\' inzrntiou is:

li g tv of 'plow 4` mu.' in terii thoseo is, pair of 'noepenilenly gournaled on sial beams and having angularly disposed axle extensions, wheels on said axle extensions normally operating in different levels, a power transmission mechanism constantly driven by one of said wheels, a clutch for connecting the power transmission' mechanism of one of said shafts to rotate the same against the resistance offered by the ground to the wheel carried on its axle extension, a connection from said shaft to the second of said shafts, said connection consisting of an arm depending from each of said shafts, and alink connecting the outer ends of said arms, said link having a loose connection with one of said arms, whereby initial move ment is permitted of said first shaft inde- 'pendently of said second shaft.

2. In combination, a plurality ,of plow` beams, plows carried thereby, a pair of shafts journaled on said beams and having angularly disposed axle extensions, a land wheel carried by one of said axle extensions, a furrow wheel carried by the other of said axle extensions, a wheel supporting` the rear end of said plow beams, and means for raising said plow beams, said means operating first to lower said land wheel with respect to said plow beams, and then to raise the rear end of said plow beams, and then to lower said furrow wheel with respect to said plow beams, said plow beams being adapted to be lowered by gravity independently of said raising means.

3. In combination, a. plurality of plow beams, plows carried thereby, a pair of shafts journaled on said beams and having angularly disposed axle extensions, a land wheel carried by one of said axle extensions, a furrow wheel carried by the other of said axle extensions, a wheel supporting the rear end of said plow beams, and power transmission mechanism driven by one of said wheels, for raising said plow beams, said means operating first to lower said land wheel with respect to said plow beams, and then to raise the rear end of said plow beams, and then to lower said furrow wheel with respect to said plow beams.

4. In combination, a plurality of plow beams, plows carried thereby, a pair of shafts journaled near the forward ends of said beams and having angularly disposed axle extensions, wheels on said axle extensions for supporting the forward ends' of said beams, a third wheel for supporting the rear end of said beams, a connection from one of said axles to the rear end of said beams, said connection including a bell @rank lever pivotaliy supported on a foreand-att swinging pivot having one point thereof connected to the rear end of said beams, and a forwardly extending link, the forward end of which is connected to one of said axles, and a loose connection between the rear end of said link and a second point of said bell cranlr, whereby initial movement of said forward axle is permitted independent of said bell crank whereby the forward end of the beam is raised slightly in advance of the rear end thereof.

5. In combination, a plurality of plow beams, plows supported thereby, a pair of shafts independently journaled near the f0rward ends of said beams and having angularly disposed axle extensions, wheels on said axle extensions for supporting said plow beams, a third wheel having an upwardly extending axle extension for supporting the rear ends of said beams, power transmission mechanism driven by one of said forward wheels for rotating said shafts against the resistance offered by the ground to the wheels carried thereby for raising said plow beams, and a connection from one of said sha-fts to the rear end of said plow beams, including a bell-crank lever pivotally mounted on a foreand-aft swinging pivot whereby rotation of said shafts causes the rear end of said plow beams to be slid upward on the axle extension of said rear wheel, said connection perniitting initial movement of said front axle independent of the rear end of said beam whereby the front end of the beam is raised slightly in advance of the rear end thereof.

6. In combination, a plurality of plow beams, plows supported thereby, a pair of shafts independently journaled near the forward ends of said beams and having angularly disposed axle extensions, wheels on said axle extensions for supporting the forward ends of said beams, a rear wheel having a vertical axle extension for supporting the rear end of said beams, power transmission mechanism driven by one of said wheels for rotating said shafts against the resistance offered by the ground to the wheels carried thereby for raising said plow beams, and a connection from one of said axles to the rear of said frame, said connection including a lini; connected to one of said axles and loosely connected at its rear end to one arm of a bell crank lever, mounted on a pivot carried by a fore-and-aft swinging link the other arm of said lever being connected to the rear end of said beams, whereby rotation of said axle causes said plow bca-ms to be slid upward on the axle extension of said mentioned axle with said clutch torotate said axle dOWIIWHl'CilZJ' against the resistance of the ground to 'raise the plows, an automatic release l clutch when the plows have been raised a the piows and e look for retaining toe frame in itsraised position.

"8. The combination or a plow' frame, a pluralityof plOWS suspended therefroni, pair of independent axles jonrnalled on said 'frame at the *forward end thereof and normally extending" in a substantially forward direction a wheel` on each of said IKlGS, a clutch on one of said Laxles connected with and driven by the'wheel onthe other oi said axles means {for connecting the first men tioned axle with saidcluteh to rotate said axle downwardly against the resistance ot the ground to 'raise the plows, an automatic release 'for disconnectin fthe clutch who. the plows have been l'tlLeiL predete distance out' of the ground 'irrespective of the depth in the'ground the plows, lock for retaining the franie in its raised position, and means for interconnecting said axles `:for actuating the other axle.

9. The combination of a plow frame, a plnrality ofplows suspended theretroin, a pair ot independent axies journalied on said frame at the forward end thereoi. and norinally extending in a suhstairiaily crowd diieetioina wheel on each of sad miles a clutch on 011003 said ;miles connected with and driven by the wheel on the other of said aries, means for connecting the firstinentioned aide with said chiteh to ikot-ate said axle downwardly against he resistance of 'the ground to raise' the nanie, an automatic release tor diseonnectinp; the

pairof axles independently `jonrnalled on said frame and extendin ina snsstantiailv :3 forward direction, a land wheel mounted on one oi" said axles a turrow wheel mounted on the other" axle and located at a lower level than the land wheel, spr acting on said axles tending to swing them dowmvnrdl v ;owcr niecha co* .iecte-:l

with and driven by the tra'etire effort of said ,`1

fnrrow wheel and acting on one or aries to raise the frame, cmnpens action between said aries' Lure ed to not on said furrow wheel axle until the wheeis oocuny the same level, an adjustable looh ;tor deterniining the iower operating position of aries ,indiefor disconneeting the` the frame, hand levers for actuating said 1 y of the power mechanism, and I r adjnstably locking said hand 'e to determine the lower position of said frame.

, on said bcains and having' ions for supporting said heanis pon transmission mechanism :,i intly driven by one of said wheels, nreans :for connecting the power transinis mechanism with the horizontal section ne of said shafts to rotate this shaft against the resisf;once` offered by the ground tie wheel to thereby raise said plow hearing,. and means for causing' ing means to operahly connect the transmission mechanism with said shaift to :e said shaft depending upon the depth at hich the plows are operating, wherehy the plow hezuns are always raised to the` sains heig itwith re'spetto the wheels irrespective of the depth at which the plows are operating.

12. in combination, a plnrality of plow hesxn plows supported thereby a pair* of she. hefvin horizontal sections inde endon saiuextensions supporting uld beams, power t ,insinission mechanism driven by one of said V; ,i a cluten for connecting said inechanii n 'the horiraontzil secti on oi'? one ol said sl'iatts to rotate the scene the res stance ot the ground to .said plow hemlis, nie-uns :for said plow hcains tobe l()'\\'%l" `1{l un levels to regnlate the depth of iang., and means for controlling said 'clutch to chase the same to operahly eonnert the ;io-.ver transmission `nieehanism with sa shntt to Variehly rotate said' shatt depending upon the depth whieh the are operating. l

I wnerehy the plow i are always raised to the seme `level l wheels 1 the ground, ;ns 'for rotzitinir said sha' \L i, 32 .115 :ndud-- ing' a hand lever loosely mounted on one of said shefts and on arni fixed' to e.

loving' end portion adopted to l 'aged hy said hand lever, wherehy operation axle extensions wheels of said hand lever causes said shaft to be rotated so as to raise the plows out of the ground.

14:. In combination, a plurality of plow beams, plows carried 'thereby, a pair of shafts journaled on said beams and having angularly disposed axle extensions, wheels on said axle extensions, power transmission mechanism driven by one of said wheels for rotating said shafts to raise the plow beams s0 as to raise the plows out of the ground, and manually controlled means for rotating said shafts, Sait means including a hand lever loosely mounted on one of said shafts, and an arm fixed to said shaft having an end portion adapted to be engaged by said hand lever, said arm when controlled by said power mechanism moving away from said hand lever independently thereof, the engagement between said arm and lever on the return of said arm determining the depth to which the plows are lowered.

15. In combination, a plurality of plow beams, plows carried thereby, a pair of shafts journaled on said beams and having angularly disposed axle extensions, wheels on said extensions for supporting said beams, power transmission mechanism driven by one of said wheels for rotating said axles against the resistance offered by the ground to the wheels carried thereby for raising said plow beams, said means including a clutch, means for disconnecting the said clutch when the beams have been raised, a lock for retaining the beams in raised position, manually controlled means for rotating said shafts, said means including a hand lever loosely mounted on one of said shafts, an arm fixed to said shafts having an end portion adapted to be en 'aged by said hand lever, whereby operation of said hand lever causes said shaft to be rotated so as to raise the plows out of the ground, and means controlled by said lever to determine the degree to which said beams may be lowered.

16. In combination, a plurality of plow beams, plows carried thereby, a pair of shafts journaled on said beams and having angularly disposed axle extensions, wheels on said extensions for supporting said beams, power transmission mechanism driven by one of said wheels for rotating said axles against the resistance offered by the ground to the wheels carried thereby for raising said plow beams, said means including a clutch, means for disconnecting said clutch when the beams have been raised, a lock for retaining the beams in raised position, manually controlled .means for rotating said shafts, said means including a hand lever loosely mounted on one of said shafts. an arm fixed to said shaft having an end portion adapted to be engaged by said hand lever, whereby operation of said hand lever causes said shaft to be rotated so as to raise theplows out of the ground, said arm when controlled by said power mechanism, moving away from said hand lever independently thereof, the engagement between said arm and the lever on the return of said arm determining the depth to which the plows are lowered.

17. The combination of a frame, a bail axle journalled thereon to swing about a horizontal axis whereby to permit the raising and lowering of the frame, wheel supports on said frame and axle, a clutch member constantly driven from one of said wheel supports, a second clutch member connected to said bail axle, a catch carried by said second clutch member for engagement with the constantly driven clutch member, manually controlled means for operating said catch to connect the clutch members and raise the frame, an automatic 'release for said catch operable after the frame has been raised to disconnect the clutch member, and a lock for retaining the frame in its raised position, said manually-controlled means being adapted on further operation to release said lock to permit said frame to be lowered.

18. In combination, a plurality of plow beams, .ploWs carried thereby, a pair of shafts journaled on said beams and having angularly disposed axle extensions, a landwheel carried by one of said axle extensions, a furrow wheel carried by the other of said axle extensions, a wheel supporting the rear end of said plow beams, and power transmission mechanism driven by one of. said wheels, for raising said plow beams, said means operating first to lower said land wheel with respect to said plow beams, and then to raise the rear end of said plow beams, and then to lower said furrow wheel with respect to said plow beams, said plow beams being adapted to be lowered by gravity independently of said raising means.

19. The combination of a frame having a .plurality of plows depending therefrom to connecting the other of said shafts with and V.

disconnecting it from the power transmission mechanism to rotate said shaft against the resistance offered by the ground to the wheels to elevate the frame and plows, a wheel support for the rear end of the frame, and means actuated by said power mechanism for elevating the front end of the frame slightly in advance of the rear end thereof, said frame and plows adapted to be lowered by gravity independently of said elevating means.

20. The combination of a plurality of plows, a frame for supporting said plows, a pair of shafts independently journalled on the frame and having angularly disposed axle extensions, wheels on said axle extensions normally operating in different levels, a power transmission mechanism constantly driven by one of said wheels mounted on the axle extension of one of said shafts, a clutch for connecting the power transmission mechanism with the other of said shafts to rotate the shaft against the resistance offered by the ground to the wheel carried on its axle extension, an automatic release operable when the` frame has been raised to disconnect the power mechanism from the shaft, and compensating means for bringing the wheels to the same level during the raising of the frame, said frame and plows adapted to be lowered by gravity independently of said elevating means.

21.` In combination, a plurality of plow beams, plows carried thereby, a pair of shafts independently journaled on said beams, a ground wheel on one of said shafts, a member on the other of said shafts adapted to be driven by said wheel to thereby rotate said member, means controlled by the rotation of said member to raise said plow beams and plows carried thereby, and means for holding said beams in raised position, said beams being adapted to be lowered by gravity independently of said raising means.

22. In combination, a plurality of plow beams, plows carried thereby, a pair of shafts journaled near the forward ends of said beams and having angularly-disposed axle extensions, wheels on said axle extensions for supporting the forward ends of said beams, a third wheel for supporting the rear end of said beams, a connection from one of said axles to the rear end of said beams, said connection including a bellcrank .lever pivotally supported on a foreand-aft swinging pivot and having one point thereof connected to the rear end of said beams, a forwardly-extending link, the forward end of which is connected to one of said axles, and a connection between the rear end of said link and a. second point of said bell-crank whereby rotation of said shafts causes the rear end of said plow beams to be raised.

23. In combination, a plurality of plow beams, plows supported thereby, a pair of shafts independently journaled near the forward ends of said beams and having angularly-disposed axle extensions, wheels on said axle extensions for supporting the forward ends of said beams, a rear wheel having a Vertical axle extension for supporting the rear end of said beams, power transmission mechanism driven by one of said wheels for rotating said shafts against the resistance ofl'ered by the ground to the wheels carried thereby for raising said plow beams, a connection from one of said axles to the rear of said frame, said connection including a link connected at its forward end to one of said axles and connected at its rear end to one arm of a bell-crank lever, the other arm of Said bell-crank lever being connected to the rear end of said beams whereby rotation of said shafts causes said plow beams to be slid upward on the upstanding axle extension of said rear wheel, said bell-crank lever being swingingly supported on a pendent swinging link supported on said upstanding axle extension.

Signed by me at Chicago, Illinois, this 8th day of March 1916.

LEE H. KAUPKE.

Witnesses:

E. H. CLEGG, Amr Jamin. 

